When Life Throws Lemons, Document It?

At this point, I’m sure most of you have either seen or been flooded by clips and quotes from Beyonce’s Lemonade film?

I don’t have thoughts on whether or not it was too personal or if it were personal at all. I simply want to discuss the innovativeness behind releasing this musical, if you will, and dropping an album immediately following it. In that regard, respect is due.

Critics are calling Lemonade a revolutionary work of black feminism. I will say the film was visually a contender in any Sundance Film Festival and there was a great deal of depth in the content. It was a body of art within itself. The release of it was epic simply because of how it was presented.

Who gets HBO to have a weekend of free television just for the release of an hour long short film? Don’t worry, I’ll wait…

Not being BeyHive member, I feel that my thoughts on Lemonade are extremely unbiased. However, the fact remains that this was beyond well executed. The visuals were next level and there was this new aged salute to the South. Overall, the film was empowering and inspiring.

The biggest thing, for me, was the poetry usage. There were definitely some notable quotes within the film. As someone who loves to feel art, in words. She gave me that intensity with every statement she made. I was actually moved by one specific written piece in Lemonade. Just the quote written written out gives me chills, so I decided to end my brief review with it. It goes as follows:

So what are you going to say at my funeral, now that you’ve killed me? -Here lies the body of the love of my life whose heart I broke without a gun to my head. -Here lies the mother of my children, both living and dead. Rest in peace my true love, whom I took for granted. Most bomb p#$*y, who, because of me, sleep evaded.

To further expand on this documentary/biopic trend, Chris Brown has released a trailer for his upcoming documentary. There are some mixed emotions about Chris discussing all the highs and lows of his career to date. However, I, personally, am very interested in it.

I have been in support of Chris’s art early on in his career and had the luxury of meeting him in 2008. From singing to dancing to graffiti, this man is truly talented beyond belief. Chris, antics aside, is an artist within his own right. So, I am really looking forward to seeing his story documented. It’s not so much out of interest in what he does in his day to day, but it’s more so an interest in how he presents this documentary to the world and how he tells his story.

Last but not least, BET has given the green light for The New Edition Biopic. (Everybody just pause and reread my previous statement.) I am obsessed with biopics! Selena is one of my end-all-be-alls. Then, the Temptations Movie is right behind it, as a classic. I just love that behind-the-scenes story that you get from a biopic!

Thus, as someone that appreciates biographical films, I am a stickler for phenomenal casting. A biopic is not a biopic without a solid cast that both resembles those being portrayed but also embody the talent and personality of that character. However, I have been on the edge of my seat awaiting the full casting of this film because the outstanding Ms. Robi Reed is in the casting chair.

Right now, the casting goes as follows: Bryshere Y. Gray will play Michael Bivins as an adult and Dante Hoagland will play Michael as a child. Elijah Kelley will play Ricky Bell as an adult and Caleb McLaughlin will play Ricky as a child. Luke James will play Johnny Gill. Algee Smith will play Ralph Tresvant as an adult and Jahi Winston will play Ralph as a child. Keith Powers will play Ronnie DeVoe as an adult and Myles Truitt will play Ronnie as a child. Lastly, Woody McClain will play Bobby Brown as an adult and Tyler Williams will play Bobby as a child.

I was pleasantly surprised with the casting and am so excited about the group. After seeing the guys that they chose, I instantly felt an off-screen bond forming in the near future. I think these young men all can bring something different to each role. I’m really anxious to see both Bryshere Gray, Empire’s Hakeem Lyon, play the role of Michael Bivins and Luke James as Johnny Gill.

I think the biggest question, for me, will be of whether Bryshere can nail any character outside of the role of Hakeem. I look forward to it and have really high expectations for him, in particular. His acting skills have evolved overnight and I think he will show us all another layer within this movie.

Aside from that, I think it will be very interesting to learn the behind the scenes obstacles that the boy band had to undergo. For instance, what led Bobby Brown to becoming a solo act? Was it another David Ruffin, of the Temptations, situation? Why was Johnny Gill added to the group? Did Ralph want out at some point? -Things like that.

All in all, I am ready for the BET’s New Edition Movie, set to debut in 2017.